“Reducing the cost of attendance should be a top priority for every university. Reading this book and following its solid advice should be a top priority for every potential college student.”
Mitchell E. Daniels
President, Purdue University, Former Governor of Indiana
“Alex Chediak’s latest book is much better than mine. Easy to read, immensely practical, and deeply empowering, it cuts through the fog of how paying for college works, how you can get the most value for your money, and how you can land on your feet after graduation. If you don’t want to waste a decade languishing in student debt, this is the book.”
Zac Bissonnette, Debt-Free U
New York Times Best-Selling Author
“Debt is one of the greatest enemies of the Great Commission. Alex Chediak knows the danger full well, and offers a wealth of wisdom in this timely book.”
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
President, Southern Seminary
“Far too many high school graduates take out college loans before realizing that they have unwittingly subjected themselves to years of crippling debt. Alex Chediak feels their pain, and he has written a practical primer for helping to avoid the college debt trap. Before you head to college–before you even decide whether or not to attend college–you need to read this book!”
Jim Daly
President, Focus on the Family
“With the cost of higher education going up far faster than the rate of inflation, it’s easy for a student to take on crippling debt for no good reason. Alex Chediak has done the detailed research, thought long and hard about this problem, and provides an accessible and trustworthy guide for getting the most bang for the buck. If you are a current or future college student, or a parent of such a student, you owe it to yourself, and to your wallet, to read this book. I’m one such parent, and I’m planning to take his advice.”
Dr. Jay Richards
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Infiltrated and Money, Greed, and God
Assistant Research Professor at The Catholic University of America
“Worried that college may no longer be worth the cost? With student debt topping a trillion dollars, lots of parents and students are. So let’s just put that worry to rest: Yes, it’s worth it–and it’s not even close. A four-year degree has possibly never been more valuable. But going headlong into debilitating debt is not worth it. The solution? Read Beating the College Debt Trap. Sparing no punches, Alex Chediak comes at the subject both as a student and college professor. He knows his stuff. If there’s just one book you read about how to navigate the murky waters of paying for a college education, this should be it. I promise you, it’s a motivating and inspiring read. Parents, give it to your kids. Kids, leave a copy on the kitchen table—maybe your parents will pick it up and learn something.”
Mary Hunt
Author and Founder, Debt-Proof Living
“Alex Chediak’s book warns prospective college students about the many pitfalls and traps associated with borrowing to pay for a college education.”
Mark Kantrowitz
Senior VP and Publisher, Edvisors.com
“As a college student, I never had to think about debt. For most students, those days are over. Fortunately, Alex Chediak has given us an easy-to-follow road map on avoiding the college debt trap that is both insightful and fun to read. You will come away feeling both equipped and inspired. Best of all, he shows how the ultimate aim of minimizing debt is not to maximize our own wealth but our freedom to serve others in creative ways without hindrance.”
Matt Perman
Author, What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done
“Follow Alex Chediak’s sound advice and graduate from college with minimal debt.”
Marvin Olasky
Editor-in-chief, WORLD
“After writing for college students (Thriving at College) and for parents of prospective college students (Preparing Your Teens for College), Alex Chediak has now written a book that all of us need. Readers can trust Alex. He knows the college world inside out (both as a student and as a professor) and he is able to cut through the confusion, break down what you need to know, and present the results in a wise and accessible way. Learning the information in this book is an exercise in stewardship. Ignore it at your own risk!”
Dr. Justin Taylor
Blogger and managing editor, The ESV Study Bible
“A college education with little or no debt–the seemingly impossible dream for today’s students. Here’s how to make it happen.”
Dr. Peter W. Wood
President, National Association of Scholars
“It’s no secret that today’s students are making dumb decisions when it comes to choosing a college, paying for it, and deciding what to do once they get there. But no more. Armed with Beating the College Debt Trap, young adults and their parents can score a rockin’ education without doing time in debtors’ prison. Alex Chediak proves it’s possible. Every teen and college student needs this book.”
Lisa Anderson
Director of young adults and Boundless.org, Focus on the Family
“Beating the College Debt Trap is a strong, practical guide for thinking wisely through the significant questions about college, career, and vocation. The message in the book is that these decisions are pre-life decisions, not just pre-wealth decisions. Alex’s book makes a strong contribution to the college and career discussion and is a worthy read for teenagers and their parents, as well as teachers and guidance counselors. It would be highly effective as a classroom guide for high schools.”
Dr. Derek Keenan
Vice President, Academic Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International
“A persistent myth exists in America that a college degree is the golden ticket to a successful future. If this were ever true, it surely is no longer. As a college professor, I believe wholeheartedly in the value and wisdom of obtaining a college education, but not without asking the kinds of questions Alex Chediak addresses in Beating the College Debt Trap. I urge every prospective college student–as well as every parent of a prospective college student–to read this book.”
Dr. Karen Swallow Prior
Author of Fierce Convictions–The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer Abolitionist
“Alex Chediak does it again. He gives wise, user-friendly advice for students in high school and college (and their parents) for how to graduate from college without crippling debt. This book makes me even more grateful for colleges that do everything they can to serve students by keeping tuition low.”
Dr. Andy Naselli
Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Bethlehem College & Seminary
“As a parent with two teens just starting college, I can’t describe how thankful I am for this timely book and its beautiful but rare balance of realistic optimism. I pray that many students (and parents) will use this book not only to avoid the multiple college debt traps that have ensnared so many unsuspecting victims but also to make the decisions that will help students to thrive in every way.”
Dr. David Murray
Professor, Pastor, and author of Jesus On Every Page and The Happy Christian
“Alex has given us an indispensable field guide to escaping the insanity of the current college debt problem. A treasure trove of practical wisdom and tactics. This is going on my must-read list for our church’s youth and parent ministry.”
Pastor Matt Heerema
Stonebrook Church
“From the foolish (using student loans to buy a boat) to the sad (potential missionaries having to stay home), college debt is a big deal. As someone who has ministered to college students for more than a decade, I highly recommend this book.”
Jonathan Saunders
Director of Campus Ministry, University Reformed Church (East Lansing, Michigan)
”As an English and Communication major, I never took a math class in college. And I didn’t think I could ever understand financial matters. But this book made it easy! Alex Chediak explains budgeting, loans, and finances in a simple way while also giving practical advice to help me be wise with my money.”
Kellie Carstensen
North Park University, Class of 2014
“Alex has gifted us with a great resource for college students and parents–to realistically tackle their financial future and be mindful of the life God has in store for them.”
Laurie Polich Short
Author, Finding Faith in the Dark
“The author wants to you take college debt seriously–very seriously. After the first couple of chapters, you will feel you’ve been through college finance boot camp. But do not mistake the author’s “take no prisoners” approach against unthoughtful college financial planning as a lack of support for college as a whole or for necessary college debt. After reading this book, you will never be naive or uninformed about the “why” of college costs or how to understand the financing of this important investment–an investment the author finds worthy. But you must bring, to use his words, “planning, grit, determination, and consistency” to the process. Once he asserts that poor upfront understanding and planning lead to some long-term remorse, his tone softens as he recommends college choice websites and demystifies government loans, institutional merit aid, and private loan options. His chapters on how to choose a major and how to make the most of a college experience, including through college jobs and internships, are right on the money. Every college student should read this advice sometime during their college career. I particularly liked his suggestion that students tithe and save from the get-go instead of waiting until that first “real” job. Lastly, his advice on postcollege life is what every parent wishes they could tell their son or daughter. The sergeant turned into the wise uncle. Good read. Worth every penny.”
Shirley Hoogstra
President of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)